Who We Serve

Friends of Tonga serves and works alongside the Tongan people, who originate from the Kingdom of Tonga. Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean and consists of 176 islands, 36 of which are inhabited.

Facts About Tonga

  • Tonga consists of four island groups: Tongatapu (which includes ‘Eua), Ha’apai, Vavau, and the Niuas.
  • Tonga has a total population of 109,000 inhabitants. Two-thirds of the population reside on the main island of Tongatapu and the nearby island of ‘Eua.
  • The capital city of Tonga is Nuku’alofa, which is also located on Tongatapu.
  • The official languages spoken are Tongan and English.
  • Tonga was given the moniker of the “Friendly Islands” due to the warm reception Captain James Cook and his crew received on their first visit in 1773.  It was later written that the chiefs, in fact, wanted to kill Cook but could not agree on a plan.
  • Tonga became the only kingdom in the Pacific in 1875 and is considered a constitutional monarchy. Tonga is the only Pacific nation to never be colonized by a foreign power and instead became a British protectorate in 1900. Tongans proudly tout this factoid to visitors. In 1970 the former British protectorate acquired its independence and became a sovereign nation; however, it still remains an active member of the Commonwealth.
  • The Kingdom of Tonga operates as a Constitutional Monarchy, which means there is a King and Queen that shares power with the Prime Minister and Parliament.
  • The current king is King Tupou VI.
  • Humpback whales travel over 3,000 miles to breed and give birth in Tonga. Whale season typically begins in July and ends by mid-October. Tonga is one of the only places in the world where you can snorkel with humpback whales.
  • Tonga is one of the first countries to see both the new day and welcomes in the New Year.
  • There are no poisonous spiders or venomous land snakes in Tonga; however, Tonga is home to the venomous centipede (molokau), which can get up to a foot long!
  • The 2022 Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption was the largest recorded in modern history.
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